Combined effects of tauroursodeoxycholic Acid and glutamine on bacterial translocation in obstructive jaundiced rats:

BACKGROUND

Bacterial Translocation is believed to be an important factor on mortality and morbidity in Obstructive Jaundiced.

AIMS

We investigated the probable or estimated positive effects of tauroursodeoxycholic acid, which has antibacterial and regulatory effects on intestinal flora, together with glutamine on BT in an experimental obstructive jaundiced rat model.

STUDY DESIGN

Animal experimentation.

METHODS

Forty adult, male, Sprague Dawley rats were used in this study. Animals were randomised and divided into five groups of eight each: sham (Sh); control (common bile duct ligation, CBDL); and supplementation groups administered tauroursodeoxycholic acid (CBDL+T), glutamine (CBDL+G), or tauroursodeoxycholic acid plus glutamine (CBDL+TG). Blood and liver, spleen, MLN, and ileal samples were taken via laparotomy under sterile conditions for investigation of bacterial translocation and intestinal mucosal integrity and hepatic function tests on the tenth postoperative day.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant differences in BT rates in all samples except the spleen of the CBDL+TG group compared with the CBDL group (p=0.041, p=0.026, and p=0.041, respectively).

CONCLUSION

It is essential to protect hepatic functions besides maintaining intestinal mucosal integrity in the active struggle against BT occurring in obstructive jaundice. The positive effect on intestinal mucosal integrity can be increased if glutamine is used with tauroursodeoxycholic acid, which also has hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory features.